It was top 4 twice in the last five years, the last just two small years before he was appointed.
And you seem to be trying to convince me that they improved under him and that he did a very good job with them. You don't have to do that, I already know he did. See, I'm capable of thinking that while also acknowledging that he didn't take over some mid-table team.
OK. Twice in 5 years, in comparison to 3 years in a row in 4 years, and 4th in both of those years, in comparison to 2nd and 3rd twice. It doesn't distract anything from the fact that his previous 3 years were the best in terms of league positioning for Spurs since the start of PL, and that no one ever expected them to be a regular top team around top places and even having a chance to challenge for the league when he was appointed. Again my problem with you is hindsight. You talk like as everyone were expecting Spurs to reach that eventually when they finished 4th previously. I doubt anyone thought anything other than it was a fluke of a season, and that they will be back again to 5th and 6th at best. Wasn't the last time they finished 4th previous him was thanks to Chelsea having a meltdown in the league when appointed Di Matteo as a caretaker?
He didn't take a mid-table club but he didn't take a top team either.